Swing into the New Year as a Viennese gala with a touch of Hungarian sparkle visits Cheltenham, Poole, Taunton and Weymouth — featuring some very special guests!

Join the party for the ultimate Christmas cracker as West End star Ben Forster leads the BSO in a series of festive favourites in Exeter, Poole and Portsmouth.

Handel’s Messiah with Baroque specialist Laurence Cummings and an evening of sing-a-long Christmas Carols return to Lighthouse, Poole — plus Hollywood hits in Bournemouth and Southampton.

Rural spaces in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset host festive fun for all the family as ‘BSO On Your Doorstep’ concerts take to the road.

Unite friends and family this festive season with concessionary tickets from £6.

With 20 live performances taking place in venues throughout the South West this festive season there’s plenty to look forward to with the BSO, from traditional choral classics and film music to smaller-scale performances in rural spaces throughout the region.  With concessionary tickets starting at £6 there are experiences to suit a range of budgets to bring all ages together.

Dougie Scarfe, the Orchestra’s Chief Executive said: “We’re really proud to be hosting such a broad range of live events this festive season, and can’t wait to help people find those few hours of escapism and mark the start of a fresh new year. There’s something for everyone, from cinematic classics to festive favourites… and we’re even bringing a quiz to our rural concerts in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset. We can’t wait to welcome you for some well-deserved down time this festive season — see you there!”

Festive favourites

For those who fancy a traditional festive sing-along the Celebration of Christmas Carols at Lighthouse, Poole [Fri 23 Dec] promises to fit the bill. Featuring enduring classics, including, O Come All Ye Faithful, Hark the Herald, and more it’ll exercise those vocal chords ahead of Christmas Day.

Handel’s oratorio Messiah is an enduring favourite of the festive season, and includes the popular aria I Know that My Redeemer Liveth and Hallelujah Chorus.  Baroque specialist Laurence Cummings makes an anticipated return to Lighthouse, Poole [Wed 14 Dec] with singers Anna Devin, Jake Arditti, Sam Furness and Ashley Riches — and the mighty Bournemouth Symphony Chorus!

Stars of stage and screen

Actor Ben Forster, best known for West End lead performances of Jesus Christ Superstar, The Phantom of the Opera and The Rocky Horror Show joins the Orchestra for Last Night of the Christmas Proms — in Poole [Sat 17 Dec], Exeter [Tues 20 Dec] and Portsmouth [Wed 21 Dec] — in a selection of Broadway and West End hits. The ever-popular festive event is suitable for all ages and promises to have audiences dancing in the aisles.

Southampton-based community choir BSO Voices returns for a night of Silver Screen Showstoppers at Southampton’s O2 Guildhall [Sun 4 Dec], featuring classics from West Side Story to Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. Whilst in Bournemouth [Sat 26 Nov], the enduring film music of Rodgers & Hammerstein — including favourites from The Sound of Music, South Pacific and Oklahoma! — comes to life as the BSO is joined by conductor Pete Harrison and a quartet of singers from the West End.

From the Blue Danube… and throughout the South West

Prepare to herald in 2023 as the BSO welcomes special guests violinist Lajos Sárközy Jr. and cimbalom player Jenő Lisztes for a New Year Viennese Gala with a Hungarian twist. Conductor Gergely Madaras leads the way, with performances that feature some of the most famous walzes, marches and polkas, to Poole [Sun 1 Jan], Taunton [Thurs 5 Jan], Weymouth [Fri 6 Jan] and Cheltenham [Sat 7 Jan].

A series of ‘BSO On Your Doorstep’ chamber concerts offers a magical winter experience in rural spaces in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset. Suitable for all, these concerts feature music from across the ages — there’s even a festive quiz! Performances take place in Falmouth [Thurs 8 Dec], Port Isaac [Fri 9 Dec], and Torpoint [Sat 10 Dec] in partnership with Carn to Cove, Cornwall’s performing arts scheme for rural communities. The concerts will also reach audienes in: Thorverton [Sun 11 Dec], in partnership with Villages in Action; Yeovil [Thurs 15 Dec], in partnership with The Octagon and South Somerset District Council; and Lychett Matravers [Fri 9 Dec], in partnership with Artsreach.

A dementia-friendly festive ‘Cake Concert’ takes place in Poole [Thurs 15 Dec] at The Spire. The event features a trio of BSO musicians alongside festive treats and hot refreshments. All are welcome, whether living in the community or in care and residential settings. The events, which compliment the Orchestra’s ongoing work in health and care settings throughout the region, take place throughout the year.

For those looking for some serious relaxation, the BSO brings three nights of Smooth Classics: Violin Magic to Poole [Sat 12 Nov], Portsmouth [Thurs 17 Nov] and Exeter [Thurs 24 Nov]. Broadcaster Anne-Marie Minhall guides audiences through the evening of popular relaxing favourites, with the BSO’s Assistant Conductor Tom Fetherstonhaugh and violinists Charlotte Saluste-Bridoux and Benjamin Baker.

For tickets and further information about Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s festive events, see bsolive.com.

[ENDS]

Notes to Editors:
For further information please contact: Claire Rawles crawles@bsorchestra.co.uk 07860 776646 or Heidi O’Neill honeill@bsorchestra.co.uk